Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 May 1995

Vol. 453 No. 3

Written Answers. - British Nuclear Industry.

Ivor Callely

Question:

56 Mr. Callely asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised Irish public concern regarding the British nuclear industry, in particular the Sellafield THORP plant with the nuclear suppliers group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9263/95]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affaiars (Mr. Spring)

The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is an informal arrangement of nuclear supplier countries whose objective is to ensure that civilian nuclear trade does not contribute directly or indirectly to the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Issues of nuclear safety are not dealt with in the NSG.

The NSG functions as a nuclear export control regime. It has elaborated guidelines to which its members adhere in applying export controls at the national level to transfers of nuclear items and nuclear-related dual use equipment, material and technology. In this way, NSG members give effect to the non-proliferation commitments enshrined in Articles I, II and III of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

The Nuclear Suppliers Group includes, in addition to all the major suppliers of nuclear technology, several members which, like Ireland, have no nuclear industry themselves but which take very seriously their responsibility to avoid contributing indirectly to the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Applying the NSG guidelines is an effective way of discharging that responsibility.

In keeping with the commitment in theProgramme for a Government of Renewal, the Government is determined to ensure that Irish public concern about the safety aspects of the Sellafield THORP plant is raised in all appropriate fora and using all suitable occasions. I wish to assure the Deputy that the officials of my Department are fully aware of the strength of the Government's commitment on this issue and that they will use all opportunities, formal and informal, to raise it internationally.